Shimla- The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has taken strong notice of the negligent actions of the officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) who failed to control their contractors from dumping waste in forested areas along the Kiratpur-Ner Chowk stretch of four lane national highway in Himachal Pradesh.
Expressing dismay over the NHAI's irresponsible conduct, the court has suo motu included the Union of India, represented by the Ministry of Environment & Forests and Ministry of Transport, as parties to the case.
A Division Bench, headed by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, issued this order in response to a petition filed by the Fourlane Visthapit and Prabhavit Samiti.
The petitioners have alleged that the NHAI contractors, responsible for widening and constructing the Kiratpur-Nerchowk National Highway, have been unlawfully dumping debris in forested areas.
To hold the NHAI accountable, the Deputy Solicitor General of India, representing the newly added respondents, has been instructed to submit a response outlining the measures NHAI intends to take to prevent further dumping of waste in forest areas or near water bodies.
Additionally, the court has demanded a plan for the removal of the waste already dumped by the NHAI contractors.
The case is scheduled to be heard again on July 20, 2023.